Plant protection system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for deterring animal interaction with woody plants is provided, including a wire mesh cage. The wire mesh cage is formed from one of a sheet of steel wire mesh and a stake cage. The sheet of wire mesh may be formed into a tubular configuration to surround a plant in need of the protection. The stake cage may be formed from a plurality of uprights arranged around a periphery of a plant, and at least one filament wound around the plurality of uprights to form the wire mesh. The wire mesh cage may further include a protective covering, in the form of a cap or coating applied to a top surface of the wire mesh cage. The protective covering militates against damage to a plant surrounded by the wire mesh cage. The protective covering may be formed from a polymeric compound having an animal detracting additive and an ultraviolet inhibitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/782,032, filed Mar. 14, 2013. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for deterringanimal interaction with, and damage to, developing woody plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In addition to the risk of disease and unfavorable growing conditions,young trees and shrubs are increasingly vulnerable to damage imposed byanimals, particularly deer. Due to their size, young woody plantspresent their vegetation at a height that deer find readily accessiblefor browsing. This leaves the plants exposed to defoliation when deerover consume, thus restricting the plant's ability to maintain itslifecycle, and eventually killing the plant.

Beyond the concern of browsing animals, both young and matured woodyplants are susceptible to significant damage caused by antlered animals,such as deer, rubbing their antlers against the plants. The rubbingcauses removal of the plant's protective bark, exposing the plant andthe life supporting cambium to the stress of the environment. Inaddition to harming the plant's growth and productivity, this barkdamage also harms the plant's aesthetics, harming its overall economicvalue.

Chemical-based animal deterrents and plastic trunk guards are known inthe art. The chemical-based deterrents work by applying a repugnantodorous or poor tasting substance on or around the targeted plant. Thisrepugnancy deters animals from consuming the plant, thus deterringgrazing, browsing, and rubbing by the animals. However, these chemicaldeterrents are limited in their application, because they are onlytemporary. The chemical-based deterrents also require regular, e.g.,seasonal, or more frequent, applications to remain effective. In theevent that the chemical deterrent is washed off by the elements, theplant once again becomes desirable to animals. Also, new growth (e.g.,shoots and leaves) grown by the plant after chemical application areunprotected.

The plastic trunk guards offer a different approach than the chemicaldeterrents, but are limited to protection of segments of trunks that arestraight in form, small in diameter, and free of branches. Known trunkguards are insufficient to protect vegetation of the plant from browsingwildlife. Plastic trunk guards known in the art also have certain designdeficiencies, in that they are easily torn apart and removed by ruttingdeer.

Moreover, known tree cages can undesirably cause damage to the youngplants they are intended to protect. The damage occurs particularly whenthe plant whips about, and comes into contact with the top ring of thetree cage during storms and other times of high wind.

There is a continuing need for a system and method of militating againstanimal interaction with developing woody plants, including woody plantssuch as trees and shrubs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a system and method ofmilitating against animal interaction with developing woody plants,including woody plants such as trees and shrubs, is surprisinglydiscovered.

In one embodiment, a plant protection device includes a cage having afirst end and a spaced apart second end. A protective covering isdisposed on the second end of the cage. The protective covering isconfigured to militate against damage to the plant, particularly whenthe plant comes into contact with the protective covering.

A method of deterring animals from interacting with a plant is alsodisclosed. The method comprises a step of providing a cage having afirst end and a second end. The cage is placed around the plant. Aprotective covering formed from a polymer is then applied to the secondend of the cage.

In another embodiment, a protective covering for at least a portion of acage is disclosed. The protective covering includes a cap formed from apolymer. The polymer may have an additive imparting at least one of aflavor and an odor that is undesirable to animals. Additives such asultraviolet inhibitors or antidegradants may also be used to protectagainst deterioration caused by solar UV radiation. The cap may bebulbous or have a desired cross-sectional shape, and have an apertureformed in one side thereof for receiving one of a wire mesh edge and apost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the disclosure,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from readingthe following detailed description of various embodiments of thedisclosure when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a wire mesh cage according to oneembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional front perspective view of thewire mesh cage illustrated in FIG. 1, showing a protective cap disposedthereon;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of wire mesh cage according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure, the wire mesh cage formed from a wirefilament wrapping a plurality of T-shaped posts having protective stakecaps;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional bottom elevational view of one of the stakecaps taken through line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front perspective view of a U-shaped post and astake cap according to a further embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional bottom elevational view of the stake captaken through line 6-6 in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view of a wiremesh being dipped into a tray of a polymeric material to form aprotective cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the stepspresented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps isnot necessary or critical.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a system and method for protecting plants frominteraction with animals that may damage the plants. As shown in FIGS.1-2 and 7, the plant protection system may includes a wire mesh cage 10used to surround and protect a plant from undesired interference fromanimals. In certain embodiments, the wire mesh cage 10 is provided inthe form of a stake cage 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.Advantageously, the wire mesh cage 10, 40 militates against damage toportions of the plant when blown into or otherwise striking the wiremesh cage 10, 40 during a storm or a period of high winds.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wire mesh cage 10 includes a pre-formed sheet ofwire mesh 20 that is formed into a shape to surround a plant in need ofprotection, such as a substantially cylindrical or tubular shape. Itshould be understood, however, that the wire mesh 20 may be formed intoany shape suitable for surrounding the plant being protected, includinga substantially triangular shape, a substantially rectangular shape, ora substantially octagonal shape, as nonlimiting examples.

The wire mesh 20 may be formed from any material having suitablestrength to prevent an animal from penetrating the wire mesh 20 to gainaccess to the plant being protected, while also having a suitable degreeof flexibility to allow the wire mesh 20 to be formed into a desiredshape around the plant. For example, the wire mesh 20 may be formed froma steel wire mesh, where the steel wire mesh is either a welded wiremesh or a knotted wire mesh.

The wire mesh 20 may be formed from a first plurality of wires spacedapart from each other and arranged parallel to each other intertwined orcoupled to a second plurality of wires spaced apart from each other andarranged perpendicular to the first plurality of wires, forming aplurality of holes 24 in the wire mesh 20. Each of the holes 24 may berectangular in shape and may have any size suitable to prevent animalsfrom fitting through the holes 24. The holes 24 may, for instance, be2×4 inch rectangular holes 24 or 2×2 inch square holes 24. It should beunderstood, however, that the holes 24 may have any shape and size toprevent an animal from penetrating the wire mesh 20.

As a nonlimiting example, where a smaller plant having a relativelyshort height is being protected, the wire mesh 20 may be formed from 14gauge welded steel, for example. As a further nonlimiting example, wherea larger plant is being protected, including protecting a trunk of atree, the wire mesh 20 may be formed from 14 or 12½ gauge steel wire,for example. Other types of materials, mesh types, and hole sizes mayalso be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the wire mesh 20 may include a first end edge 25arranged in parallel to a second end edge 26, and a first side edge 27arranged in parallel to a second side edge 28. The first side edge 27and the second side edge 28 may connect the first end edge 25 to thesecond end edge 26 in a direction perpendicular to each of the first endedge 25 and the second end edge 26. As shown in FIG. 1, the first endedge 25 rests on a ground surface 70. The second end edge 26 is spacedapart from the ground surface 70 when the wire mesh cage 10 is disposedin an upright position about a plant, in operation.

The first end edge 25 and the second end edge 26 may have any lengthneeded to allow the wire mesh 20 to be wrapped around the plant or treetrunk being protected. Where the wire cage 10 is formed into acylindrical shape, the first end edge 25 and the second end edge 26 mayeach have a length of about sixty (60) inches, and result in a wire cage10 having a diameter of about eighteen (18) inches. It should beappreciated that the length of the first end edge 25 and the second endedge 26 may vary depending on the plant being surrounded. The first sideedge 27 and the second side edge 28 may have any height required tocover a desired portion of the plant from animal interaction. The firstside edge 27 and the second side edge 28 may have a length of about fourfeet, five feet, or six feet, for example, resulting in a same height tothe wire mesh cage 10 when fully assembled.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first side edge 27 may be disposed adjacent thesecond side edge 28 when the wire mesh cage 10 is formed into acylindrical shape. The first side edge 27 may be releasably coupled tothe second side edge 28, for example, by a plurality of hooks 35 formedat the first side edge 27 of the wire mesh 20. The hooks 35 may beplaced through one of the holes 24 formed in the wire mesh 20 adjacentthe second side edge 28 thereof, to complete the cylindrical shape ofthe wire mesh cage 10. In other embodiments, the wire mesh 20 may notinclude the hooks 35 and the first side edge 27 may be releasablycoupled to the second side edge 28 by any known means, including tyingthe side edges 27, 28 together or applying a fastener such as a C-ring(not shown) to the sides edges 27, 28. One of ordinary skill in the artmay select other suitable means for coupling the side edges 27, 28, asdesired.

The wire mesh cage 10 may further include means for securing the wiremesh cage 10 to the ground surface 70. For example, a plurality of sodpins 37, also known as sod staples, may be used to secure the wire meshcage 10 to the ground surface 70. The sod pins 37 also stabilize thewire mesh cage 10 when secured to the ground surface 70.

In particular embodiments, each sod pin 37 is a substantially U-shapedrod having a pair of prongs that may be driven into the ground surface70. Each of the sod pins 37 straddles the first end edge 25 of the wiremesh 20 through one of the holes 24 formed adjacent the ground surface70. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, one of the sod pins 37 may bedriven over the first end edge 25 of the wire mesh 20 where the firstside edge 27 overlaps the second side edge 28, further coupling thefirst side edge 27 to the second side edge 28. FIG. 1 shows the wiremesh cage 10 as being secured by three of the sod pins 37, but anynumber of sod pins 37 may be used as desired.

The sod pins 37 of the present disclosure may be formed from 10 gaugesteel, for example, but any suitable material may be used. The sod pins37 may be any length necessary to secure the wire mesh cage 10 to theground surface 70. The sod pins 37 may be ten to twelve inches long, forexample. It should be understood that in place of the sod pins 37, thewire mesh cage 10 may be secured to the ground surface 70 by othersuitable means such as ground anchors, stakes, or the like, as desired.

In most particular embodiments according to the present disclosure, thewire mesh cage 10 has a protective covering 12. Where the second endedge 26 is an uppermost surface of the wire mesh cage 10, the protectivecovering 12 is disposed over the second end edge 26 of the wire meshcage 10.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the protective covering 12 isa removable cap 16. The cap 16 may have a main body that is bulbous inshape, and have an annular channel 17 formed therein. For example, theannular channel 17 serves as an aperture configured to receive thesecond end edge 26 of the wire mesh 20 therein, in order to cover theentirety of the uppermost surface of the wire mesh cage 10. The cap 16may further have an annular bulbous portion 18 formed on a side of thecap 16 opposite the annular channel 17 to provide addition cushion tothe cap 16. It should be appreciated that the bulbous shape minimizesdamage to a portion of the plant that strikes the bulbous cap during astorm or period of high winds.

In particular examples, the cap 16 may extend over the second end edge26 by a distance necessary to protect a plant surrounded by the wiremesh cage 10 from damage due to contact of the plant with the wire mesh20 forming the wire mesh cage 10. The cap 16 may extend over the secondend edge 26 by a distance of about one to two inches (1-2″), forexample. Other suitable heights for the cap 16 may be selected by askilled artisan, as desired.

Alternatively, in place of the annular cap 16, the cap 16 may beprovided as a linear piece of material having a channel formed along alength thereof. An example of the linear piece of material forming thecap 16 is shown in FIG. 1, where a broken line (A) indicates a divisionof the annular cap 16 into a linear piece of material having a first endformed to one side of the line (A) and a second end formed to the otherside of the line (A). The first end and the second end of the linear cap16 meet when the linear cap 16 is formed into a cylindrical shape by auser during an installation of the wire mesh cage 10. The linear cap 16may be especially useful as it can be applied to the second end edge 26when the wire mesh 20 is not formed into the cylindrical form shown inFIG. 1.

Although annular and linear caps 16 are described hereinabove, it shouldbe understood that the cap 16 may be formed to have any shape necessaryto cover the uppermost surface of the wire mesh cage 10, as desired.

The cap 16 may be formed from any material sufficient to militateagainst damage to a plant that may strike the cap 16, such as an end ofthe plant that is blown into the cap 16 by a gust of wind, for example.The cap 16 may be formed from a suitable polymer, including one of aresilient polyurethane foam and neoprene rubber, as nonlimitingexamples. One of ordinary skill in the art may select suitable materialsfor the cap 16 within the scope of the present disclosure.

The material forming the cap 16 may also include at least one additiveto prevent animals from eating or otherwise interfering with the cap 16.The additive may cause the cap 16 to have a spicy and hot taste or anextremely bitter taste. The additive may be formed from naturallyoccurring substances such as Louisiana hot sauce (such as Tabasco®sauce), cayenne pepper extract, or habanero pepper extract, asnonlimiting examples. Alternatively, the additive may be any odorous orpoor tasting chemical compound known to repel animals, and capable ofbeing combined with the primary material forming the cap 16, such as thepolyurethane foam or the neoprene rubber. As a nonlimiting example, theadditive may include Bitrex® denatonium compounds. Other types ofadditives sufficient to repel animals from the cap 16 may also be used,as desired.

It should also be understood that additives configured to militateagainst a weathering of the polymer may also be used, as desired. Forexample, the polymer may include ultraviolet inhibitors orantidegradants that minimize deterioration and damage of the polymerwith exposure to solar UV radiation. Other types of anti-weatheringadditives may also be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

In another embodiment, the protective covering 12 is disposed on thesecond end edge 26 of the wire mesh 20 in the form of a coating of aprotective material 13. For example, the protective material 13 may beapplied or otherwise bonded to the wire mesh cage 10 in place of the cap16. The protective material 13 may be a hot dipped vinyl polymer, asprayed or brushed-on polymeric compound, or any other durable coatingsuitable for providing a softened surface, including any materialsdescribed as forming the cap 16.

Similar to the polymeric cap 16 described hereinabove, the protectivematerial 13 may further include one of the additives described formilitating against animal interference, and deterioration caused byweathering such as exposure to solar UV radiation.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the protective material 13 may be applied tothe wire mesh cage 10 by dipping the wire mesh 20 into a tray 5containing the protective material 13. The wire mesh 20 may be dipped toan extent providing a desired length of the wire mesh cage 10, asmeasured from the second end edge 26 toward the first end edge 25 in theprotective material 13. For example, the wire mesh cage 10 may be dippedinto the tray 5 to cover about two (2) inches of the wire mesh cage 10in the protective material. Alternatively, the protective material 13may be applied to the wire mesh cage 10 by spraying or brushing theprotective material 13 on the wire mesh cage 10, as desired.

In operation, the wire mesh 20 is placed adjacent a plant in need ofprotection. The first end edge 25 of the wire mesh 20 may abut theground surface 70, for example. The user then forms the wire mesh 20into a cylindrical or tubular shape to surround the plant, by pullingthe first side edge 27 toward the second side edge 28. The first sideedge 27 may then be releasably coupled to the second side edge 28 by anyknown coupling means, including applying one of the hooks 35 formed onthe first side edge 27 through a hole 24 formed in the wire meshadjacent the second side edge 28.

Once formed around the plant, the wire mesh cage 10 may then be securedto the ground surface 70, and stabilized using at least one groundanchor such as the sod pins 37 described hereinabove. Where theprotective covering 12 formed on the wire mesh cage is the coating ofthe protective material 13, it should be appreciated that no additionalcomponents need to be applied to the wire mesh cage 10. Where theprotective covering 12 is the cap 16, then the user of the wire meshcage 10 may apply the cap 16 over the second end edge 26, in order tocover the uppermost surface of the wire mesh cage 10 and militateagainst damage to any portion of the plant that may strike theprotective covering 12.

It should be understood that the order of the steps provided hereinaboveare not critical, and may be performed in any order, as desired. Wherethe plant has developed to the point where its foliage is no longerwithin reach of browsing animals, or where the plant has otherwiseoutgrown the protection of the wire mesh cage 10, the wire mesh cage 10may be removed from the plant by detaching the first side edge 27 of thewire mesh 20 from the second side edge 28 thereof. A vertical opening inthe wire mesh cage 10 is thereby created, allowing for easy removal ofthe wire mesh cage 10 from around the plant. Further removal of the wiremesh cage 10 may be performed by removing the plurality of sod pins 37,and lifting the wire mesh cage 10 up and over the plant, or by simplyspreading the now open cage 10 apart and drawing the open cage 10horizontally away from the plant.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, a wire mesh cage 10, 40 according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure is disclosed. In particular, the wire meshcage 10, 40 is provided in the form of the stake cage 40. The stake cage40 includes a plurality of posts or uprights 50, which are orientedvertically and arranged around a plant 3. For example, the stake cage 40may include at least three of the uprights 50, which are substantiallyevenly spaced around a periphery of the plant 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the uprights 50 as a plurality of T-shape posts 50 a.The T-shaped posts 50 a may have a substantially T-shaped cross-section.The T-shaped posts 50 a may further include a plurality of spaced apartprojections 52 formed along a length of the T-shaped posts 50 a, on aback surface 54 thereof, giving the T-shaped posts 50 a a cross-sectionhaving a substantially cross-like shape. The projections 52 may alsohave notches (not shown) or apertures (not shown) formed therein, insome embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates the upright 50 in the form of a U-shaped post 50 b. Across-section of the U-shaped post 50 b may include a substantiallyU-shaped portion 57, and a pair of flanged portions 58 extending fromeach end of the U-shaped portion 57. The U-shaped post 50 b may includea plurality of spaced apart apertures 59 formed along a length thereof.

Regardless of the cross-sectional shape, the uprights 50 of the presentdisclosure may be formed from any material having suitable strength tomilitate against an animal, such as an antlered animal, causing damageto the uprights 50 and the protected plant 3. The uprights 50 may beformed from steel, for example. Other suitable materials may also beused, as desired.

Each of the uprights 50 has a first end 55 and a second end 56. Thefirst end 55 of each upright 50 may be driven into the ground surface70, in order to maintain the uprights 50 in a vertical orientationaround the plant 3. The second end 56 of each upright 50 is spaced apartfrom the ground surface 70 and represents an uppermost surface of thestake cage 40.

With renewed reference to FIG. 3, the stake cage 40 further includes atleast one wire or filament 60 wrapped around the plurality of uprights50. The at least one filament 60 forms the wire mesh 20 around the plant3. The filament 60 shown in FIG. 3 originates from one of the uprights50 adjacent the first end thereof 55, before being wound around theplurality of uprights 50 in an upward direction until the filament 60terminates adjacent the second end 56 of the upright 50 from which itoriginated.

The filament 60 is further shown in FIG. 3 being wound around theuprights 50 with a spacing between adjacent portions of the filament 60that spans three of the projections 52 formed on the T-shaped posts 50 aserving as the uprights 50. It should be understood, however, that thefilament 60 may be wound around the plurality of uprights 50 in anynumber of configurations, and with any desired spacing between adjacentturns of the filament 60. For instance, the filament 60 may be woundaround the plurality of uprights 50 a second time to create acrisscrossing mesh or web of the filament 60. The filament 60 may beformed from any suitable material capable of preventing an animal frompenetrating a mesh formed from the filament 60. Suitable materials forthe filament 60 may be bailing twine or steel wire, as nonlimitingexamples. Other types of materials and winding configurations for the atleast one filament 60 may also be employed, as desired.

In particular embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6, the second end 56 of eachof the uprights 50 forming the stake cage 40 may further have theprotective covering 12 disposed thereon. The protective covering 12 maybe in the form of a plurality of stake caps 66 disposed over the secondend 56 of each of the uprights 50. The stake caps 66 may be formed fromthe same material or materials described hereinabove in reference to thecap 16 and the protective material 13, as desired. The stake caps 66 mayalso be formed from a material having any of the additives describedhereinabove.

FIG. 4 illustrates a stake cap 66 a for use with one of the T-shapedposts 50 a. The stake cap 66 a includes a main body having an aperture86 a formed in one end thereof. The aperture 86 a may have across-sectional shape substantially corresponding to the cross-sectionalshape of one of the T-shaped posts 50 a, and which allows the aperture86 a to receive an end of one of the T-shaped posts 50 a therein. Thestake cap 66 a is thereby removably coupled to one of the T-shaped posts50 a.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a stake cap 66 b for use with one of theU-shaped posts 50 b. The stake cap 66 b includes a main body having anaperture 86 b formed in one end thereof. The aperture 86 b also has across-sectional shape substantially corresponding to the cross-sectionalshape of one of the U-shaped posts 50 b. The stake cap 66 b thereby isable to receive an end of one of the U-shaped posts 50 b therein, forcoupling the stake cap 66 b to one of the U-shaped posts 50 b.

As also shown in FIG. 6, the stake cap 66 b may have an aperture 86 bhaving a cross-sectional shape including an arcuate portion surroundedby two substantially linear portions.

It should be understood that the stake caps 66 may be adapted for usewith any form of upright 50, having any desired cross-sectional shape.The stake caps 66 are provided with apertures formed therein thatsubstantially correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the upright 50being covered by the stake cap 66.

Similar to the wire mesh cage 10 shown in FIG. 1, the second end 56 ofeach of the uprights 50 of the stake cage 40 may also be coated with theprotective material 13 to form the protective covering 12. Theprotective material 13 may be any of the materials that were describedas being bonded to the second end edge 26 of the wire mesh cage 10hereinabove.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the second end 56 of each of the uprights 50may be dipped into the tray 5 having the protective material 13 disposedtherein to coat a desired length of the upright 50 in the protectivematerial 13 in similar fashion to the wire mesh 20. Each of the uprights50 may accordingly be dipped into the protective material 13 to coatabout 2 inches of the second end 56 of each upright 50. Alternatively,the second end 56 of each upright 50 may be coated with the protectivematerial 13 by means of brushing or spraying the protective material 13thereon. In some embodiments, the filament 60 may also be selectivelycoated with the protective material 13, especially along portions of thefilament 60 adjacent the second end 56 of each of the uprights 50.

In operation, the stake cage 40 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by firstpositioning the plurality of uprights 50 around the plant 3 in a desiredarrangement. Next, the user drives the plurality of uprights 50 into theground surface 70. The driving of the uprights 50 into the groundsurface 70 may be performed using any known method, including using asteel post driving mechanism, for example.

Once the uprights 50 are secured to the ground surface 70, the filament60 may next be wound around the plurality of uprights 50 to form thewire mesh 20. A first end of the filament 60 may be releasably coupledto one of the uprights 50 using any known method, including tying thefilament 60 to the one of the uprights 50. In other embodiments, theuprights 50 may include a mechanism for securing the filament 60 to oneof the uprights 50 or a separate fastening means may be applied to theuprights 50.

Where the filament 60 is wound around the uprights 50, the user maysecure a position of the filament 60 to each upright 50 by utilizing oneof the projections 52 formed on the back surface 54 of the T-post 50 a,for example, or by utilizing one of the apertures 59 formed in theU-shaped portion of one of the U-shaped post 50 b. In other embodiments,the uprights 50 may include additional features disposed thereon forpositioning and retaining the filament 60 to each of the uprights 50.

Once the winding of the filament 60 is completed, a second end of thefilament 60 may be secured to one of the uprights 50 using any knownmeans, including tying the filament 60 to an upright 50, to form acompleted mesh of the filament 60 around a periphery of the stake cage40.

Once the basic structure of the stake cage 40 has been completed, theuser may then add one of the stake caps 66 to the second end 56 of eachof the uprights 50. If the uprights 50 are the T-shaped posts 50 a, thestake cap 66 a may be used. If the uprights 50 are the U-shaped posts 50b, the stake cap 66 b may be used. If the protective covering 12 is inthe form of an applied and bonded protective material 13 already presenton the second end 56 of the uprights 50, no additional assembly of thestake cage 40 is required.

Advantageously, the stake caps 66 a, 66 b and the protective material 13together aid in militating against damage to portions of the plant 3when blown into or otherwise caused to strike a portion of the stakecage 40. Where the plant has developed to the point where its foliage isno longer within reach of browsing animals, or has otherwise outgrownthe protection of the stake cage 40, the stake cage 40 may be removed byunfastening and unwinding the filament 60. Next, the user may remove theuprights 50 from the ground surface 70. Optionally, the user may alsoremove the stake caps 66, as desired.

In addition to surrounding a plant with the wire mesh cage 10, 40, theplant protection system may also include a method of protecting a plantfrom damage caused by smaller animals, such as mice, that may be able topass through the wire mesh cage 10, 40. In such situations, one of thedeterrent materials described as an additive hereinabove, such as aspicy substance or an excessively bitter substance, may be applieddirectly to a problem area identified on or around the plant, or anyportion of the wire mesh cage 10, 40 in need of additional protection.The substance may, for example, be applied to a base of one of the cages10, 40 or to a base of the plant being protected. The application of thesubstance may be performed by brushing or spraying the substancedirectly onto the problem area, thereby militating against small animalschewing or otherwise disturbing the areas to which the substance hasbeen added.

The wire mesh cage 10, 40 of the present disclosure offer manyadvantages. The wire mesh cage 10, 40 is easy to construct anddisassemble, while offering maximum protection from both browsinganimals and antler rubbing. Furthermore, the use of the protectivecovering 12 in the form of the caps 16, 66 a, 66 b, or the coating ofthe protective material 13, further protects a young plant from damagecaused by the plant repeatedly striking an otherwise hard surface of thewire mesh cage 10, 40, for example, when the plant is whippedback-and-forth by the wind into the cage 10, 40. Additionally, the useof a protective material 13 having an additive that prevents animalsfrom disturbing the protective covering 12 minimizes maintenance of thewire mesh cage 10, 40, as opposed to known protective substances thatrequire repeated applications due to the substance being washed away bythe outdoor elements.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plant protection device for deterring animalinteraction with a plant, the device comprising: a cage having a firstend edge and a spaced apart second end edge, the second end edge of thecage having an opening for the plant being surrounded to extendtherethrough; and a protective covering disposed on the second end edgeof the cage, the protective covering including a rubber cap, the rubbercap having a main body with a channel formed therein, wherein the mainbody is bulbous in shape and militates against damage to any portion ofthe plant that may strike the plant protection device, the rubber capfurther having at least one additive to militate against animals eatingor otherwise interfering with the rubber cap, wherein the additive isone of an odorous and poor tasting chemical compound known to repelanimals, the protective covering militating against damage to the plantwhen the plant contacts the second end of the cage.
 2. The plantprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the protective coveringis formed from one of a foam rubber and a neoprene rubber.
 3. The plantprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the protective coveringincludes an ultraviolet inhibitor.
 4. The plant protection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first end edge of the cage rests on aground surface and the second end edge of the cage includes an openingfor the plant being surrounded to extend therethrough.
 5. The plantprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the cage is formed froma sheet of wire mesh formed into a tubular shape to surround the plant.6. The plant protection device according to claim 5, wherein the sheetof wire mesh includes a first side edge and a second side edge formedopposite thereto, wherein the first side edge is releasably coupled tothe second side edge.
 7. The plant protection device according to claim6, wherein the releasable coupling of the first side edge to the secondside edge is performed using a plurality of hooks extending from thefirst side edge.
 8. A method for deterring animal interaction with aplant, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cage having afirst end edge and a spaced apart second end edge, the second end edgeof the cage having an opening for the plant being surrounded to extendtherethrough; providing a protective covering including a rubber cap,the rubber cap having a main body with a channel formed therein, whereinthe main body is bulbous in shape and militates against damage to anyportion of the plant that may strike the protective covering, the rubbercap further having at least one additive to militate against animalseating or otherwise interfering with the rubber cap, wherein theadditive is one of an odorous and poor tasting chemical compound knownto repel animals; applying the protective covering to the second end ofthe cage, the second end edge of the cage received by the channel of themain body; placing the cage around the plant, the first end edgeabutting a ground surface surrounding the plant and not extending intothe ground surface; and securing the cage to the ground surface with atleast one ground anchor, wherein the cage is stabilized in an uprightposition for deterring animal interaction with the plant.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 8, further comprising a step of driving a pluralityof uprights around a periphery of the plant and winding at least onefilament around the plurality of uprights to form a wire meshsurrounding the plant.
 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein thestep of providing the cage includes forming a sheet of wire mesh into acylindrical shape around the plant and releasably coupling a first sideedge of the sheet to a second side edge of the sheet to enclose theplant.
 11. The method according to claim 8, further including a step ofapplying one of a spicy substance and a bitter substance directly to oneof portions of the plant and an area adjacent the plant to militateagainst animal interaction with the plant.